Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the death, survivor benefits flow from
the veteran's retirement pay. An SSA-654-U4 must be sent to the proper service department
to determine the basis for the retirement that was being paid or that would have been
paid. However, if the survivor states that they definitely know the type of retirement
that the deceased was receiving, and if such retirement will preclude wage credits,
no development is required. Explain to the survivor that wage credits are not being
granted based solely on their statement.